How often should I have an eye test?

Most adults should have an eye test every two years. If you have diabetes, glaucoma, are over 70, or have been advised otherwise by your optometrist, you may need to be seen more often.

Am I entitled to a free NHS eye test?

Yes. We provide free NHS sight tests for eligible patients. This includes children under 16, full-time students under 19, people aged 60 and over, and those receiving certain benefits or diagnosed with specific eye or medical conditions.

What are varifocal lenses?

Varifocals allow you to see clearly at all distances — near, intermediate, and far — without switching glasses. They are ideal for people with presbyopia, which is the gradual difficulty focusing on near objects that most people notice from their mid-40s onwards.

Are expensive varifocals worth it?

In our experience, yes — for most people. Premium varifocals offer wider, clearer viewing zones and far less peripheral distortion than budget lenses, making them significantly more comfortable to wear all day. Accurate fitting measurements matter just as much as the lens itself, which is why we use the HOYA Smart Mirror system for every pair.

How long does it take to get used to varifocals?

Most people adjust within a few days, though for some it can take up to two weeks. We offer a minimum three-month adaptation period on all varifocals — if you're struggling to get on with them, we'll keep working with you until they do.

Can you put new lenses in my existing frames?

Yes. We offer a reglazing service so you can keep your favourite frames and simply replace the lenses with your new prescription.

Do you offer interest-free finance on glasses?

Yes — we offer interest-free payment options to help spread the cost of your new glasses. Ask in practice or call us on 01536 511605 for details.

Do you accept NHS optical vouchers?

Yes. We accept all valid NHS optical vouchers and Hospital vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses.

Where is Stirling Opticians?

You'll find us at 16–18 Gold Street, Kettering, NN16 8JB. Public parking is available close by, with short-stay and long-stay car parks within a few minutes' walk.

How do I book an eye test in Kettering?

You can book online at stirlingopticians.com/appointments, by phone on 01536 511605, or in person at our practice on Gold Street, Kettering. We're open Monday to Saturday, 10am–5pm.

Tomato Glasses for Children —

now stocking the full 2026 range

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Multi-award-winning frames for babies, toddlers, children and teens. NHS and hospital vouchers accepted. From £40.

Non Toxic, Lightweight, non-slip, flexible, adjustable, durable.

Baby Range

Baby A For newborns and babies. Extremely flexible and highly adjustable to keep up with a baby's rapid growth. Comes with a headstrap as standard.
Tomato Kids A,B,C,D,E,F

Kids A, B, C, D Oval and round shapes in a huge variety of colours and prints — cars, dinosaurs, hearts, sea creatures, pandas, unicorns, camo and more. Sizes cover toddlers through to older primary-age children.
Kids E & F — NEW 2026 Two brand new kids ranges added for 2026, with fresh colourways and new illustrated designs. Ask us in practice to see the latest stock.
Junior Range

Junior A, C, D A more grown-up rectangular shape for children around 8 and up who want something a little less round. Still all the Tomato flexibility and adjustability underneath.
Adolescent A & B — NEW 2026 Larger frames for tweens and teens — so children who've grown up wearing Tomato Glasses can carry on wearing them. New colourways include faded raspberry red, mocha brown, denim blue and forest green.

Tomato Glasses at Stirling Opticians

If your child has just been prescribed glasses, you're probably wondering where to start. Tomato Glasses are the ones paediatric eye departments recommend most — and we're one of the few practices in the area to stock the full range.

They're built for children: flexible enough to survive being sat on, adjustable enough to stay on a growing face, and light enough that kids actually wear them. Under 8 grams for most frames. Non-toxic materials, no sharp edges, hypoallergenic nose pads. They come with a headstrap as standard so they stay put during PE, the park, or anything else your child throws at them.

We stock frames for babies from newborn right through to teenagers — and with the new 2026 Adolescent ranges, kids who've grown up in Tomato Glasses can now stay in them. Tomato frames are available in a wide range of sizes and colours. We stock a wide selection and can also order in any other pieces to try (normally in next day).

Use our new online scheduling service to book a free ‘HES eyewear consultation’

Hospital and NHS vouchers — we make it straightforward

If your child has been seen at Kettering General Hospital eye department, we have a close working relationship with their team and deal with KGH vouchers regularly. We also accept vouchers from further afield — including Moorfields, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and most other NHS hospital trusts.

What you need to bring: — The HES voucher (hospital eye-wear voucher) issued after your child's hospital appointment, or — A GOS3 NHS voucher from the optometrist who performed the eye test

Not sure what you've been given? Bring whatever paperwork you have and we'll work it out.

Frames from £40 with a valid hospital or NHS voucher. Frames from £95 privately.

We also test children's eyes here — we can see patients from the age of 3. If your child hasn't had a test recently, book a children's eye exam at the same time.

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